Sunday, September 11, 2016

Colors by Llarowe Empty Heart

Empty Heart was released on the 1st of this month by Colorado-based indie polish maker Colors by Llarowe (CbL) as part of The Journey collection. Creator Lee Anne describes it as a "deep blackened grey linear holographic base with holo flake and a red and copper flash." The base color is a true charcoal, speckled and slightly lightened by abundant holographic microflakes to more of a dim grey with a chatoyant, granite-like aspect. Finely-milled particulate shimmers and holographic pigment give it a rich, dimensional appearance and create a shimmering pale greenish-gold bloom with an accompanying transparent red-violet overlay that travels up and down the nail with the light. Holographically-generated flashes of aqua and azure can be seen in ambient light, making this the best polish stand-in for labradorite that I've ever seen. In the sun there's a stunning prismatic flame that is slightly dispersed by but extra sparkly from the components, with a delicate transparent red sheen that intensifies the flame's shimmering corona of yellow, orange and red sparks.Application was fantastic. The consistency of Empty Heart is fluid, light and smooth with a medium viscosity and a nearly effortless, creamy, self-leveling slip over the nail that is a delight to finesse with CbL's flattened, flexible brush. Pigment is excellent. It acts like a one-coater but you'll want two for most even opacity and maximum holographic effects. Cleanup is easy. Empty Heart dries naturally in very good time to a silky smooth, slightly flat finish that looks great with a glossy topcoat. Topcoat does not inhibit the holographic properties in any way. Photos show two coats of Empty Heart over treatment and basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite.

Colors by Llarowe Empty Heart

Colors by Llarowe Empty Heart

Colors by Llarowe Empty Heart

Colors by Llarowe Empty Heart

Colors by Llarowe Empty Heart

Colors by Llarowe Empty Heart

Colors by Llarowe Empty Heart

Colors by Llarowe Empty Heart

Colors by Llarowe Empty Heart

Colors by Llarowe Empty Heart

Colors by Llarowe Empty Heart

Colors by Llarowe Empty Heart

Colors by Llarowe Empty Heart

Colors by Llarowe Empty Heart

Colors by Llarowe Empty Heart

The depth and dimensionality of this polish reminds me a lot of CbL's Annie Get Your Gun from the Summer 2016 collection. Although they differ in color and the variety of components they carry, they share the same rich, complex quality in their holographic effects, including that marvelous shifting pale green prismatic bloom in ambient light. I don't know how Lee Anne coaxes this sort of gorgeousness out of her holos but it adds a luxe, upscale sensibility to the look. The resemblance of Empty Heart to labradorite is uncanny -- for lovers of the gemstone, this polish is worth owning for that reason alone.